From other forums...
San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon has recently changed the issuance policy again and no longer accepts "personal protection/self-defense" as a reasonable good cause for issuance. Need to articulate something more than just a simply self-defense statement.

What they want is more than just the 2 words that can be eloquently and succinctly articulated in front of a judge in the event you ever get dragged into a wrongful death civil court case. For example: I want a CCW permit to protect myself, and my family, against the ever increasing number violent criminals, who have no absolutely no qualms about killing uniformed police officers, let alone civilians, during a time when many departments are reducing the number of officers available.